Hi Maria, Thanks for writing to us and congrats on having identified the kind of work that you want to do, that's not always easy! I've sent your question over to our coaches who will be in touch. Please note, our career coaches will respond as soon as possible, but with the holidays coming up, you may not receive an immediate response. In the meantime, I would recommend checking out our article on cancer as inspiration for career change (if you haven't already): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/Cancer-as-Inspiration-for-Career-Changes as well as our past Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar on Career Change: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/career-change. I hope this is helpful! Warm regards, Maddy Meislin Associate Manager of Programs

Hi, Maria,
Congratulations on being cancer free and on returning to school to follow your passion. Both big reasons to celebrate!
Although you don't mention specifics of your degree program focus or your location or school, I can say that most colleges and universities are very strong in offering career advisors and job placement assistance for their students and that is where I would recommend you start.
As a former college placement and academic advisor, I can say that both your academic advisor for your degree program and your college career development and placement office will have information on specific job options, on employers who recruit graduates from your program, and most likely, on internships that you may find helpful as a way to get your foot in the door with future full time employers.
Take some time with one of these professionals on your campus to explore how to research these options and how to use their resources to ensure that your academic program and any projects involved line up with future employer needs. Also be sure to take advantage of any professional development clubs and organizations or lectures by leaders in your field etc. that your major discipline may offer as an adjunct to your degree program to gather further insight and contacts. Consider it building your professional portfolio.
You mention your age, and I am conscious of your concern. But most important to overcoming any ageism concerns are your energy and focus, your passion for your work, and how you can translate this and your past work experience into a winning package for your target employers in a role that seems like your best fit. Your work may focus in many diverse areas...be it with an environmental not-for-profit, and energy or utility company or alternative energy firm, a government agency or an advocacy organization... there are endless options. But now matter which area you choose, dive into it wholeheartedly and that enthusiasm and drive will enable you to connect with opportunities and with like-minded individuals.
You are wise to start now, before graduation, so that you can consciously build that professional portfolio and your contacts. Once you have your focus on a best fit role and type of organization in your field, developing your contacts and your experience is a matter of adding one project, one chance for field exposure, or one contact at a time- day by day by day.
How do you do this? Brainstorm and keep a running list of target firms or organizations as you hear of them, of key professionals and thought leaders in your field that you may hear of or that others recommend, and most importantly, of the types of impacts you want to have in the world. Then make a deliberate weekly effort to learn something about those firms, reach out to those contacts, attend lectures, read publications, take on academic projects, or volunteer locally to enrich your professional reach in your chosen field.
Do this, along with your studies and you will find that you have open doors to walk through upon graduation. Its hard work, but you are certainly up to it. After all, you beat cancer. Now go out and seize the day!
Warmest holiday wishes,
Kathy Flora, Career Coach